Christmas tree ornament



March 9, 1954 5 E, HANSEN 2,671,286

CHRISTMAS TREE ORNAMENT Filed April 2, 1952 IN V EN TOR.

12 I EMIL E. HANSEN.

Patented Mar. 9, 1954 UNITED STATES PATENT forties CHRISTMAS TREE ORNAMENT Emil E. Hansen, Brooklyn, Y.

Application April 2, 1952,v Serial No. 280,020

The present invention relates to an ornamental electrically illuminated light fixture, and is particularly directed to a star-shaped electrically illuminated fixture for use atop a Christmas tree or the like and made of metal, plastic or other suitable material.

An object of the present invention is to provide a star-shaped electrically illuminated fixture formed of two similar joined together wall members having perforated faces which are shaped so that the internally emitted light rays may escape therethrough and be visible from the sides as well as the back and front of the ornamental light fixture. Another object of the present invention resides in the provision of a star-shaped ornamental light fixture of the described character having a unique arrangement of perforations. both as to location and size thereof, so that the light emitted from the fixture will be patterned to simulate the emission of light from a natural star.

A further object of the present invention is to provide a star-shaped ornamental light fixture of the described character formed of similar wall defining members and having simplified devices for attaching the wall defining members to each other.

Further, it is a general object of the present invention to provide a star-shaped ornamental light fixture of the described character which is simple in construction, easily formed, and yet sturdy, so that it may be produced at a low cost and will retain its usefulness for a long period of time.

The above, and other objects, features and advantages of the present invention, will be apparent in the following detailed description of preferred embodiments thereof, which description is to read in connection with the accompany ing drawings, forming a part hereof and where- Fig. 1 is a front elevational view of a starshaped ornamental light fixture embodying the present invention;

Fig. 2 is a side elevational view of the light fixture of Fig. 1;

Fig. 3 is a sectional view taken along the line t3 of Fig. 1;

Fig. 4 is a fragmentary sectional view taken along the line 4-4 of Fig. 1, and on an enlarged scale;

Fig. 5 is a fragmentary sectional view, similar to that of Fig. 4, but showing the parts thereof in assembled position;

Fig. 6 is a fragmentary sectional view,"similar to Fig. 4, but showing a clamping element con- 9 Claims. (01. 41-10) 2 structed in accordance with another embodiment of the present invention; and

Fig. 7 is a fragmentary sectional view, similar to Fig. 5, but showing the parts of the embodiment in Fig. 6 in assembled relationship.

Referring to the drawing in detail, wherein the same reference numerals denote corresponding parts throughout all of the views thereof, and initially to Figs. 1 to 5, inclusive, the illustrated star-shaped ornamental light fixture embodying the present invention and referred to generally by the numeral It, is there seen to include a pair of similarly shaped wall forming members it and i2. Each of the wall forming members H and I2, when viewed in plan form, is'of starshaped configuration, and is made up of a plurality of diamond-shaped sections 13. In the illustrated embodiment, each wall member I l and 52 is formed of five integral diamond-shaped sections [3.

As seen in Figs. 1, 2 and 3 each diamond-shaped section I3 includes two triangular faces l4 and 55 forming an obtuse angle a (Fig. 3) therebetween, so that the faces l4 and I5 decline away from the radial medial line [6 of the diamondshaped section 13. As seen in Fig. 2, the diamond-shaped sections it making up the front and rear wall forming members H and 12 are shaped so that the radial medial lines It thereof incline from the center toward the outer periphery of the light fixture. Thus, each of the wall forming members H and I2 has a dished configuration so that the distance between the front and rear walls is greatest at the center of the light fixture and decreases towards the periphery thereof.

As seen in Fig. 1, the adjacent diamond-shaped sections l3 of each of the wall forming members H and I2 are contiguous at their inside edges ll, and these contiguous or joined together edges I! slant or incline from the center of the fixture toward the edge of the latter at an angle which is greater than the angles of inclination of the radial medial lines is of the several sections.

Referring to Figs. 2, 4 and 5, it will be seen that each of the wall forming members and i2 is provided with a relatively narrow peripheral wall I8 extending continuously along the outside edges of the sections B. The free edge of each of the peripheral Walls !8 is bent ioined'together edges l'lf'o'f the adjacent sections it, as indicated at 2'0 inF-ig. 1'. In assembling the wall forming members I I and I2, the latter are superposed so that the flanges I9 thereof abut each other with the various diamond-shaped sections l3 of one of the wall forming members being registered with the correspondin sections of the other wall forming member. Suitable holes 2! are then formed through the enlarged portions 20 of the flanges l9 to provide for securing together of the two wall forming members at the above mentioned enlarged portionsof their flanges.

In accordance with the present invention, a particularly simple and reliable clamping device is provided which cooperates with the holes or openings 2| to secure the two wall forming members together. As seen in Figs. 1 and 4, this clamping member 22 includes, two triangularly.

shaped portions 23 and 24 joined together along an edge thereof and shaped to nestle'into. the angularly defined space provided between the adjacent fa es Hand f c nti uous se t ons I 3 at opposite sidesof the,- enlarged flange portions .0. As, seen in Fig. 4, a nipple or protrusion 26- is struck out. of the portion 23 While a complementary opening 01? hole 27 is formed in the portion 24 in a position to receive the proieetion 26. when the portions 23' and 24 are pressed together. The clamping device 22 is preferably formed, f metal, and. in the embodiment of Figs. 4 and 5, is initially disposed with the portions 23 and 24 spread apart as in Fig. 4. Thus, in assembling the two wall forming members H and I2, the portions 23 and 24 of the clamping elements 22- are extended over the 0pposite sides of the abuttingflange portions and are. then pressed together, as in Fig. 5, so that the struck out projection 26 extends through the openings 21 of the. flange portion and into the opening 21 of the portion '24 of the clamping element. If desired, separation of the portions 23 and 24 of the. clamping element may 5 be prevented by swedging theprojection within the opening 2-! into which it extends.

In the embodiment of Figs. Sand 7, a clamping element 22a, similarto the element '22 previously described; is employed. However, the element 22a is formed of a resilient metal, preferably spring brass, andbefore clamping engagement with the flange portions 20 of the side forming members II and I2, the clamping element is disposed as in Fig. 6. That is, the clamping element 22a, in its initial position, has its portions 23a and 24a in substantially parallel arrangement. The projection 26a, struck out of the portion 23a, preferably tapers downwardly and extends into the opening 21a formed in the other, portion 24a. In engaging the clamping element 2212 with the flange portions 23, the element. 22a. is urged Ont'Q the-flange, Portions, in the. dir ction ofthe arrow 2.8 f; Fig. 6. nd th edges of the flange portions 20 engage against the tapering outer contour of the projection 26a to spread apart the portions. 23a and 24a until the projection is registered with the openings 2i of the, flange portions. Then, the portions 23a. nd. 2411 are resilientl ur ed back t ei pa allel relationship t pr ject t pp o projection 26a throughthe openings 2| and into the opening 21a. With the clamping element 22a of Figs. 6 and 7, it is apparent. that-the wall forming members It and 12 may be assembled without requiring the use of any tools whatsoev r- It is-underst od. howe er. that. othe suitable m ns ay e mp yed such as screw or bolts instead of theclamps 22, 22a.

while l eins el ments-oi theltind illu tra iii in Figs. 4 and 5 or in Figs. 6 and 7 are employed for securing together the wall forming members II and I 2 at the locations between adjacent diamond-shaped sections, a clamping element is omitted at one of such locations to permit the attachment of a member 29 adapted to receive the top of a Christmas tree or the like for supporting the ornamental light fixture on the latter. The member zs consists of a tubular element open at its lower end and flattened at its upper end to provide spaced apart lugs 30 adapted to overlie the enlarged flange portions 211, at the opposite sides of the latter. The fiattened lugs 30 are formed with suitable registered openings so that a suitable fastening assembly, for example, a nut and bolt, may be extended through the aligned openings of the enlarged flange. portions and the lugs 30.

A socket, not shown, is suitably supported within the secured together wall forming members; ll and I2, to receive, an electric light bulb, and electrical conductors extend from this soclzet and exit from the light fixture through a suitable insulating grommet 32.

As seen in Fig. 1, each of the, diamond-shaped sections it is formed with a multitude of open ings of various sizes having the following distribution: a row 33 of relatively small openings extend along the entire length of the radial medial line separating the faces M and l 5 of each diamond-shaped section l3; rows of relatively small openings 34 extend along the entire length of the inside edges ll, of each of the faces is and I5; rows of similar openings 35 extend along the outside edges of each of the faces l4 and, I5; and rows of openings 36., increasing in, diameter from both the inner and outer corners of each face M and l 5 toward the central portions thereof. Thus, the inclined faces 14 and I5 of the diamond-shaped sections [3 are outlined by light emitting openings, and the openings 36 of varied diameter, in combination with the outlining openings, emit light in a, pattern to simulate. the appearance of light. rays coming from a natural star. Further, as seen in Fig. 2, the inclined nature of the faces l4 and I5 ensures that, the emittedlight will be visible from the sides as well as from the. front and back of the ornamental light fixture.

From the foregoing description taken in connection with the accompanying draw ngs, it is aliparentthat an improved, simple, practical and inexpensive ornamental light fixture for the purpose intended has; been provided. It is obvious, however, that immaterial changes and modifications may be. made. in the illustrated embodiment by persons skilled in the art without departing from the. scope-of the invention as defined in the appended claims.

Having thus described the invention, what is claimed as new and desired to be secured by Letters Patent, is:

l. A star-shaped, internally illuminated ornament comprising a pair of star-shaped wallforming members each defininga central portion and a plurality of radially extending outwardly -ject-ions and adjacent to said central portion, said ran formin members being disposed confronting relationship with the radial projections aligned and said flanges in face to face abutting relation, and a clamping element formed to engage over the opposite sides of said abutting flanges at certain of said portions of increased Width and t0 nestle into the space defined between adjacent radial projections.

2. A star-shaped, internally illuminated ornament according to claim 1; wherein said flanges are formed with aligned openings at said portions of increased width; and wherein each of said clamping elements includes two joined together portions adapted to grip the abutting flanges therebetween, one of said portions being formed with a nipple struck therefrom in the direction toward the other of said portions and the latter having an opening formed to receive said nipple so that, with said portions gripping the flanges therebetween, said nipple extends through said aligned openings of the flange portions of increased width and into said opening of the other clamping element portion to prevent relative movement of said flanges and removal of said clamping element therefrom.

3. A star-shaped internally illuminated ornament according to claim 2; wherein said clamping element is formed of spring metal so that said portions are resiliently urged into parallel arrangement spaced apart by a distance equal to the combined thicknesses of said abutting flanges.

4. A star-shaped internally illuminated ornament according to claim 3 wherein said nipple tapers in the direction toward said other portion of the clamping element so that, when said clamping element is moved over said abutting flanges, the edges of the latter engage said tapering nipple to urge apart said clamping element portions and said nipple is resiliently urged through said flange openings when registered with the latter.

5. A star-shaped, internally illuminated ornament comprising a pair of star-shaped wallforming members, each of said members being formed of a plurality of radially extending, diamond-shaped sections contiguous at their inside edges, each of said sections consisting of a pair of triangular faces declining from the radial medial line thereof with the radial medial lines of said sections inclining from the plane of the periphery of the related member to the center thereof so that each member is raised at the center, each of said wall-forming members having a peripheral wall thereon formed with an outwardly directed marginal flange extending along the edge thereof, said wall-forming members being disposed in confronting relationship with the diamond-shaped sections registered and said marginal flanges abutting to enclose a space therebetween which increases in depth toward the center, said marginal flanges being formed with portions of increased width at the convergence of the outside edges of adjacent diamondshaped sections, and clamping elements formed to engage over the opposite side of said abutting flanges at certain of said portions of increased width and to nestle between said converging outside edges for holding together said wall-forming members.

6. A star-shaped, internally illuminated ornament according to claim 5; wherein said flanges are formed with aligned openings at said portions of increased width; and wherein each of said clamping elements includes two triangular portions joined together along an edge thereof and adapted to receive said flange portions through the free edges and grip said flange portions therebetween, one of said triangular portions being formed with a nipple extending toward the other of said triangular portions and positioned to extend through said aligned openings of said flange portions for preventing relative movement of said wall-forming members and removal of the clamping element from said flange portions.

'7. A star-shaped, internally illuminated ornament according to claim 6; wherein said other triangular portion of the clamping element is formed with an opening positioned to receive said nipple extending through said aligned openings of the flange portions.

8. A star-shaped, internally illuminated ornament according to claim 7; wherein said clamping element is formed of spring metal so that said triangular portions thereof are resiliently urged into parallel relationship spaced apart by a distance equal to the combined thicknesses of said abutting flanges.

9. A star-shaped, internally illuminated ornament according to claim 8; wherein said nipple tapers in the direction toward said other triangular portion of the clamping element so that, when said clamping element is moved radially inward to receive said flanges between the triangular portions thereof, the edges of said flanges cam against the tapered nipple to spread apart said triangular portions and said nipple is resiliently urged through said openings of the flange portions when registered with said openmgs.

EMIL E. HANSEN.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 2,145,737 Sadacca Jan. 31, 1939 2,163,016 Barker June 20, 1939 2,191,041 Protz Feb. 20, 1940 FOREIGN PATENTS Number Country Date 591,520 France Apr. 11, 1925 

